In these Paralympic Games, Hector Denayer is one of the French athletes to watch. Here are all the secrets of this young star of the pools.
The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games are in full swing in the capital and all eyes are now on young Hector Denayer.
He is a Paralympic swimmer. He won the silver medal in the men’s 100m breaststroke and impressed by breaking the French record with a time of 1 min 05 s 91. He will dive back in on September 5 for the 200m medley and on September 6 for the men’s 100m butterfly. This is an opportunity to find out a little more about this young champion in the colors of France.
What is Hector Denayer’s origin?
Hector is only 19 years old. Alsatian by birth, the athlete was born without fingers on his left hand, what is called agenesis, but that did not stop him from devoting himself to his passion, sport.I have always been very sporty. When I was little, I did judo, athletics, football, BMX racing! At school, in Sélestat, I was in the football section. You had to do cardio to stay in shape, especially in winter! As I didn’t like running (it’s not the same when there’s a ball!) I went swimming“, explained the young man on Gendarmerie.interior.gouv.
What is Hector Denayer’s other job?
Hector Denayer followed in his father’s footsteps.I have a father who is a police officer, I grew up in the barracks, today I am joining the police force, that links it all together. My dream was to be a police officer. I wanted to be a dog handler in the GIGN. I am kind of fulfilling one of my childhood dreams today. The police force is something that has always been important to me and always will be. It’s a big family. This contract is a way of committing myself to it,” he explained on the gendarmerie website.
On June 18, 2024, he became a high-level athlete of the Defense-Gendarmerie (SHND-G), as an agent on contract of the Ministry of the Interior.
Why is Hector Denayer nicknamed “the Léon Marchand of Burgundy”?
Hector Denayer is described by all as a swimming prodigy, hence the parallel with the four-time champion, Léon Marchand.He evolved very quickly, he matured a lot in a very short time. (…) Moreover, when he arrived, we didn’t think he could already achieve things like that. We imagined him being at the Paralympics, but from there to playing for a podium and a chance of a medal… not necessarily. But he quickly proved us wrong ” told the technical director of his club to France Bleu Bourgogne.
Impressed by his skills, the professional listed his many assets for the tests.He has a very good breaststroke technique. Before, when he arrived, he was quite frail. He has developed his power enormously. He has a good return, he is technically fine, good flows, good turns“.
It has been a particularly busy year for Hector Denayer, but the partner of Paralympic swimmer Elodie Lorandi (according to the Sports Daily) gave his all according to his technical director.The pre-Olympic year was very busy. He had World Cups, the European Championships where he had some great results. It’s a busy year, it’s a lot of work in advance. He does about ten training sessions per week, three weight training sessions and three physical preparation sessions. He had ups, downs, minor injuries, doubts, moments of joy. Hector held up well, he had good consistency, and it wasn’t easy. “
What is Hector Denayer’s track record?
Hugo Denayer is very young and yet he has already won some awards. The swimmer won silver twice (100m breaststroke & 200m medley), in Funchal, at the 2024 European Championships. In 2023, the athlete had already won bronze in the 100m breaststroke at the World Championships in England.
He won the silver medal in the 100m breaststroke in Paris at these games.”I’m second so I’m obviously a little disappointed, I wanted gold, I’m not going to hide it.” he said into the microphone ofOlympics.com. But he still has two events left on September 5 and 6 to snatch the gold. All is not lost yet!
